Evaluation of Gait Training with Treadmill Versus Rehabilitation on Ground Methods in Hemiparetic Patients with Temporospatial and Kinematic Data

INTRODUCTION: Gait disorders can occur in different forms in hemiplegic patients. Restoring a rapid, safe, and independent gait is the main goal of neurorehabilitation after stroke. Gait training with a treadmill became popular in rehabilitation. The treadmill allows for a large number of steps in a training session and a large amount of task-specific exercise can be performed.
METHODS: Twenty patients were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, and controlled study. The patients were divided into two groups. With computerized gait analysis, the temporospatial parameters of gait and kinematics of lower extremity joints and pelvis were evaluated. Functional evaluation was performed with a 10-m walking time (sec) and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) - mobility and locomotion score.
RESULTS: The changes in the kinematic analyses in both groups showed that walking was more economical and functional in the treadmill group. Treadmill training stimulated functional changes on the paretic side. In the ground group, changes occurred mostly in the pelvis and leg on the healthy side, and in this way, the walking function was improved. At the same time, it was determined that the gains in the motor abilities of the paretic lower extremity, 10-m walking time, FIM mobility, and locomotion scores were higher in patients who were rehabilitated in the early period and who were given walking training on the treadmill.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Treadmill training in stroke-related hemiplegia can develop gait speed and safety in hemiplegia. Since treadmill treatments are more reachable and cheaper, they can be preferred in the rehabilitation of the gait in stroke-related hemiplegia.